Congo says 159 kids to be united with adoptive parents

KINSHASA, Congo – Congo's ambassador to the United States says 159 children will be united with their adoptive parents after the government agreed to grant long-stalled permits to the children who've been stuck in the African country for more than two years despite having been adopted by international families.

Ambassador Francois Balumuene said in an emailed statement Monday that Congo's government is working to resolve the remaining cases.

The Congolese government halted international adoptions in 2013, saying the nation's adoption system was beset by corruption and falsified documents. The move affected already-approved adoptions for more than 400 U.S. families, and hundreds more families from Canada and Europe.

Last year, Congo authorized some departures, but the justice minister said no further cases would be considered until the government approved a new adoption law.